Bulldogs To Test Strength Against Tigers

September 19, 1986|By Frank Carroll of the Sentinel Staff

ST. CLOUD — If St. Cloud High School's football game with Orlando Jones tonight at Gannarelli Field evolves into a track meet, Coach Danny Rea Smith doubts whether the Bulldogs will have a chance. Game time for the Class AAA, District 5 game is 8 p.m.

''With our speed, we can't keep up,'' said Smith, who has not beaten the Tigers since coming to St. Cloud in 1984.

It's St. Cloud's 1986 home opener. After a stumbling 14-13 loss to New Smyrna Beach last week, the Bulldogs are bidding to upset the heavily favored Tigers.

Meanwhile, Kissimmee Osceola, which fumbled five times last week before escaping Haines City, 7-0, returns to the Silver Spurs Stadium to entertain New Smyrna Beach, also at 8 p.m.

New Smyrna Beach, behind the running of converted fullback Eric Welch, who gained 98 yards on 14 carries, last week benefitted from six turnovers to topple St. Cloud.

Vogt said the Barracudas are going to be ''bigger, more aggressive and in better physical condition'' than Haines City was and the Kowboys can't afford another week of mass turnovers.

Jones, which gave third-ranked (Class AAAAA) Orlando Evans all it wanted in a 26-12 loss, has problems with pesky St. Cloud.

On the Tigers' 1984 trip to St. Cloud, Jones trailed, 24-21, with 4 minutes remaining but rallied behind Leon Perry for two touchdowns and a 34-24 victory.

In the rain last year, Jones led, 6-0, with 1:24 left until St. Cloud folded and handed the Tigers two quick touchdowns.

But, if Coach Ernest Swift sticks to his game plan, Jones could play into St. Cloud's hands.

''We need to throw to make our running game work. If we keep throwing, we're going to win ball games,'' Swift said. In the loss last week, quarterbacks James Morris and Monte Hardee completed 11 of 29 passes for 103 yards.

Against Evans, Jones came out in a shotgun formation. ''I'll buy Swift a steak dinner if they try it with us,'' said Smith, obviously more confident should the Tigers' receivers be pitted against the Bulldogs' secondary.

Smith also hopes to force the Tigers' ground game to stay ''within our tackles. If Jones takes its running game outside they could be real effective.''

Swift graduated 27 seniors off 1985's 7-3 club and worries about a youthful defense.

''We've got to hold the ball, keep St. Cloud's defense on the field as much as possible and our defense on the sideline,'' said Swift, concerned by the passing of Bulldogs quarterback Brian Hendren.

Against Evans, ''we were hurt by penalies and mental mistakes and I think we gave up more yards through mental errors than the penalties,'' Swift said. ''I've seen how St. Cloud can take advantage of mistakes.''

St. Cloud can overlook its loss to New Smyrna Beach if it can upset Jones. Only district games are counted in the race for post-season advancement.

''It's the first district game and everyone wants to be in the win column after their first one,'' Swift said. ''I'm sure both teams realize its importance.''

As a footnote, at least one Tiger won't be unfamiliar to the Bulldogs. Fullback Rodney Cobbs, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior who alternates with Dwayne Moore, played sparingly for Osceola last season.